Downers Grove Park District

Instructors for Outdoor Education
The Downers Grove Park District has a trained volunteer staff that assists in providing quality outdoor educational programs. Volunteers should enjoy instructing small groups of children in an outdoor setting. Volunteers are able to sharpen their skills, gain knowledge and acquire job experience, while meeting new people - not to mention the fun they have along the way. Volunteers and class instructors are also needed to work with groups after school and on weekends. Training is provided. Interested persons should contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at (630) 963-1300 or via email at psemple@dgparks.org.

Volunteer

Interpretive Center Volunteers
Volunteers are needed throughout the year at our new Lyman Woods Interpretive Center to greet visitors, answer phones and provide program support. Volunteers should enjoy meeting new people, learning about Lyman Woods and sharing that knowledge with others. The Interpretive Center is located at 901 31st Street— two blocks east of Highland Avenue, just north of Good Samaritan Hospital. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-4pm, Saturdays from 9am-4pm and Sundays from 1pm-4pm. Training is provided. Interested persons should contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, or by email at psemple@dgparks.org

Volunteers

Land Management Volunteers
Volunteers are needed throughout the year to help restore and preserve the natural areas of Belmont Prairie and Lyman Woods. R.E.A.P. (Restore, Education, and Preserve) is a volunteer group dedicated to restoring these natural areas to their native state and maintaining their integrity for future generations. Land management activities that include collecting and sowing native seed, restoring trails with wood chips, removing invasive brush, and monitoring water quality and plant and animal species.

Volunteers gain personal satisfaction from doing work that benefits the community while cultivating lasting friendships with others who share their concern for the environment. Volunteers also reap the benefits of quarterly educational programs and an annual appreciation event. If you are interested in becoming a member of R.E.A.P., contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at (630) 963-1300 or via email at psemple@dgparks.org.

Safety instruction, tools, safety glasses and work gloves are provided for all volunteers. A signed waiver and release form is required.

Youth Volunteers
We welcome youth volunteers to join us. Youths must be at least 14 yrs old to participate at a workday without being accompanied by an adult. Youths 9-14 yrs old are encouraged to participate as part of an organized group but they must have adult supervision. All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent/ guardian sign a waiver form before the students can volunteer.

Corporate, School and Scouting Groups
Community Groups make up a large part of our volunteer force. Scouting, school, church or corporate groups are welcome to join us on our scheduled workdays, but many choose to arrange a separate time for their group. Please contact us so we can set up a special workday for your group. If you choose to participate in a scheduled workday and your group is larger than 10, please contact us ahead of time so we can be prepared. Contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at (630) 963-1300 or via email at psemple@dgparks.org.

Recreation Volunteers – Programs & Facilities

Volunteers are needed to assist with special events, open gym, Kidzone, and the Active Adult Center in addition to serving as coaches for youth athletic teams. There are even opportunities available at our beautiful nine-hole Golf Course.

The Museum is actively seeking new docents to join its crew! Become an integral component in preserving history's future!

Docents lead group tours through the Museum. Flexible hours. Training provided. A willingness to help keep history alive is the only requirement. Contact Julie Bunke, Museum Supervisor, at (630) 963-1309 or email her at jbunke@dgparks.org for more information.

Volunteer Staff
The Downers Grove Park District Museum's enormous task of preserving the community’s past for future generations can only be accomplished with the assistance of dedicated individuals who are willing to share knowledge, talents, and time with others. If you are one of these people, we strongly encourage you to join the staff. There are activities for every interest. Our volunteer staff includes individuals who perform one or more duties as docents, collections specialists, administrative aides, program aides, researchers, maintenance assistants, and gardeners. If you would like more information about becoming a member of the volunteer staff, please contact Pat Semple at (630) 963-1300 or by e-mail psemple@dgparks.org. The following is a current list of the dedicated individuals who volunteer their time for the betterment of our community:

Current Museum Volunteers

Sheila Rhodes	Alice Dornan	John Breen	Linda Bedard	Mary Ann Hall
Mary Ann Wolcott	Montrew Dunham	David Eblen	Angie Kelly	Dolores Kopeyka
	Susan Eblen	Bob Jensen	Bill Kundert	Diane Mizener
	Lorraine Krob	Jim Krusenoski	Bill Novak	Carol Wandschneider
	John Mochel	Helen Myers	Pat Pyburn	Elyssa Raysa
	Suzanne Mathies	Norma Plummer	Betty Cross	Joyce Tumea
	Lois Sterba	Pat Cederoth	David Docekal	Phyllis Kmetz

Volunteer of the Year
The Museum annually honors the most outstanding contributions to museum operations by a volunteer staff member. The Volunteer of the Year award is presented each spring at the volunteer recognition event. The following is a list of all the honored recipients:

Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients

2011	Diane Mizener	2006	Annelis Hake	2001	Marcy Kaplan
2010	Pat Cederoth	2005	Jim Hake	2000	Bob Arehart
2009	Montrew Dunham	2004	Bob Jensen	1999	John Breen
2008	Lois Sterba	2003	Elaine Scherrer	1998	Jim & Lorraine Krob
2007	Patty Page	2002	Marge Badke	1997	Dolores Kopeyka

Upcoming Volunteer Workdays
Lyman Woods - April 14 & May 19

Belmont Prairie - February 18 & March 17

Get your hands dirty at our volunteer workdays at Lyman Woods this fall! Workday projects include wood-chipping trails, cutting brush, hand-pulling non-native plants, and gardening. Workdays begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

You must pre-register at least one week in advance of the scheduled workday.

The number of volunteers may be limited for some workdays due to the sensitivity of the Natural Areas. Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at psemple@dgparks.org to register for a workday.